Tag Archives: MSAA guest bloggers

Time is Precious

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By Angel Blair

Time flies. You can say that again, and again, and again. It’s hard to believe that the end of 2025 is upon us and a new year is right around the corner. The year brought many changes, as the years usually do in one way or another, and either for better or worse. With it also came the same reliable sentiment that life is unpredictable, and to expect the unexpected. How time is precious and fleeting, and to take advantage of life’s special moments as much as possible. 

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Progressing Through Heartache

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By Samuel Fitch

As I write this on December 1, 2025, my mind turns to the year behind me. The first thought that rises is the people we lost. My mother passed away extremely unexpectedly on June 9. Her absence has sent a wave of grief through me, my wife, my four siblings, and her ten grandchildren. Yet as painful as it has been, I am grateful for what grew out of that difficult season. My brothers and sisters are now closer than we have ever been, and that closeness has carried us forward.

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Finding Balance: Navigating the Holiday Season with MS

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For many people, the holidays are pictured as a “most wonderful time of the year,” filled with parties, gifts, and endless cheer. But for those living with multiple sclerosis (MS), the season often feels different. It can bring a complicated mix of emotions, ranging from genuine gratitude to overwhelming stress. If you find yourself dreading the calendar flip to December, you are not alone. By acknowledging both the darker challenges and the lighter joys, you can find a way to navigate the season that works for you.

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Nourishing November with Fall Traditions

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By: Dr. Eva Jackson

As the crisp air settles in and leaves turn golden, the fall season welcomes a tapestry of festivals, holidays, and cherished family gatherings. The sights of autumn begin with vibrant wreaths and pumpkins adorning front porches, while neighbors string lights and hang colorful garlands, transforming the block into a friendly showcase of creativity. Laughter mingles with the rustle of leaves as families stroll outside, exchanging playful banter over whose scarecrow stands tallest or whose porch glows brightest.

In my family, friendly competitions spark joy and laughter—from the men vying for the juiciest smoked turkey, the smoky scent curling around the house, to the annual debate over whose caramel cake melts best on the tongue. These contests—whether grill-side or oven-warm—ignite more than taste buds; they fill our home with cheerful noise, good-natured teasing, and bursts of shared laughter. Each tradition, from decorating to baking, is more than a ritual; it is a thread that binds us, wrapping us in a tapestry of delicious scents, glowing sights, and treasured sounds.

Ultimately, it’s the joy found in these simple moments—hands joined in dough, stories exchanged over dessert, and the echo of laughter in every room—that lingers long after the last slice of pie is gone. Our fall traditions not only color our home with beauty and flavor, but also strengthen the bonds that hold our family together, creating memories we savor year after year.

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Here I Go Again

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By Samuel Fitch

Ten years! After about ten years away from the gym, I decided to walk back in the door. In that time, I’ve been living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and staying active, but not in the way most people think. My life is full: busy professionally, engaged in the family business, raising four kids, and supporting a wonderful wife. That kind of activity keeps me moving, but at times it carries its own stress. 

About a month ago, I felt a strong pull to return to structured exercise, first to safeguard my cardiovascular health and then to gradually reintroduce weight training. Not for huge muscular gain, but to strengthen and preserve what I already have. My mother’s passing at age 65 from a ruptured brain aneurysm after decades of smoking played a major role in that decision. Seeing mortality up close made me realize I want to be here long enough to watch my grandchildren grow, to enjoy years with family and meaningful work. 

So each day I’ve headed to the treadmill. Thirty minutes, heart rate up near 150 beats per minute. The result has been therapeutic both mentally and physically. There’s pain in inertia but power in motion. 

For my fellow men and women living with MS, I know our journeys differ. Some face greater physical challenges, while others may have more flexibility or energy to work with. My belief is that doing something, even small steps with the ability you have, can still produce a meaningful impact on well-being. Research supports this truth. Studies show that aerobic and resistance exercise improve mobility, reduce fatigue, and enhance quality of life in people living with MS (National Institutes of Health). Even more encouraging, exercise in MS is considered safe and does not worsen disease activity when properly managed (Cleveland Clinic). 

If I had known how good I would feel simply by walking on the treadmill three times a week and steadily elevating my heart rate, I might have started sooner. But hindsight is a teacher, and the best time to begin is right now. 

So that’s the invitation: whether you’re managing MS or simply navigating the busy demands of life, choose to move. Protect your heart, support your brain, and honor those you’ve loved and lost by caring for the life you still have before you. 

Stay strong, inside and out. 

About Sam:

Sam Fitch is a financial advisor based in Jamestown, New York, where he helps individuals and families build stronger financial futures through planning focused on cash flow, protection, and long-term goals. Before entering financial services, he spent 25 years working in his family’s restaurant business, which helped shape his strong connection to community and service.

Sam also lives with multiple sclerosis and is passionate about supporting others navigating similar challenges. Through his writing and advocacy work, he hopes to encourage people living with MS to pursue strength, resilience, and a meaningful life despite the obstacles the disease can bring. He is a husband, father of four, and active supporter of the MS community.

When Creativity Finds a New Way

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By Samuel Fitch

I wouldn’t consider myself a very creative person. But when I think back to my childhood, I remember being endlessly creative. I would make things out of cardboard, draw pictures for hours, and feel completely alive in that process. Back then, I truly believed I had a knack for art.

As I grew older, though, that creative spark seemed to fade. Life, responsibilities, and practicality took its place. Yet, I’ve realized creativity doesn’t disappear; it just changes form. For me, that form became journaling.

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Refresh, Rewind, Release

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By Monica Proctor Wilson

Self-care is not selfish.

Self-care is self-love.

It took me many years to not only understand that self-care was not selfish, but self-care was self-love and to also accept this. Of course, I had to learn the hard way. For years, I was the person burning the candle at both ends… and in the middle. I made sure everyone else was taken care of, I checked all the boxes, and I filled in all the roles. My personal theme song was “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan, which I played on repeat in my head. Say amen if you relate.

Then reality hit me. Hard. One day at work, I ran out of spoons before the day even started. I had a relapse due to complete exhaustion and extreme fatigue. After a coworker drove me home, I crawled into bed screaming “I don’t have time for a relapse!! I have to make dinner and be ready for the kids to get home to help with homework.” After taking a quick 16-hour nap, I woke the next morning to find dishes in the sink and clothes on the floor… and you know what? Life kept moving while I was resting and the world had not ended. The earth did not spin off its axis and I did not get sucked into another universe.

Building a Reset Routine

That was the “Ah-Ha” moment that I realized something had to change. I decided to take one day each month to do absolutely nothing. And when I say nothing, I mean nothing. I marked the date on the calendar so everyone knew I would not be available for events, errands, or obligations. That day was reserved for me to sleep, get a massage, binge-watch shows, or literally watch the paint dry on the wall. My body would decide.

My first attempt left me with feelings of complete guilt. It was difficult ignoring that voice in my head suggesting I was letting my family down. But after several attempts, the guilt turned into something else: a requirement that I would set for myself. A promise that I would take time to refresh, rewind, and release.

That was many years ago. My children are now grown, and my husband understands my promise to myself. But each month, I continue scheduling my mental health day because that’s what my body requires. A chance to recharge before the fatigue, stress, or symptoms stack up and force me to rest the hard way.

Why It Matters Especially with MS

Living with MS means we don’t always get to choose how our bodies feel day-to-day. But we can choose to respect our limits and plan recovery time before we crash. By putting a mental health day on the calendar, I shifted from reacting to my body’s emergencies to proactively giving it what it needs.

Your Turn

I know understand that self-care isn’t selfish…It’s self-love. It’s about survival and strength. Taking care of yourself allows you to give more to others. Remember the airline rule: mask on you first, then others.

If you’ve been pushing yourself beyond the limits, burning your candle at both ends, or just need time to recharge, consider this your permission slip to rest. I challenge you to schedule a day on the calendar that belongs only to you. No apologies. No guilt. It may be difficult, and the first attempt may only last 3 hours. But try again and again until you are able to refresh, rewind and release. You have my permission.

I’m Monica Proctor Wilson, and I’ve been living with multiple sclerosis for 19 years. I facilitate a self-help group called SPEAK MS, where we Share Personal Experience and Knowledge of MS, connect, and keep each other uplifted. I’m also an MS advocate and serve on the Government Relations Advisory Council, working to make sure the voices of people with MS are heard at every level. In 2023, I was honored to receive the National MS Society’s Inspiration Award. My passion is helping others find strength, purpose, and community while navigating life with MS.

Building A Safety Net

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By Monica Proctor Wilson

Hi warrior friends,

After living with MS for 18 years, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of building a safety net. I always encourage MS friends to: 1) Research their choice of DMT’s, 2) Find a Neurologist that specializes in MS, 3) Keep a Mental Health provider, and 4) Build a Safety Net.

Step 1- Understanding My Safety Net:
Safety net can mean different things to different people. Before I could start building my safety net, I went to the definition:

Safety net (noun): something that provides security against misfortune or difficulty.

At first, I thought I already had one. I had family and friends that loved me. After the first year, the “Let me know if you need anything” texts faded. Not because they didn’t care, but because MS is complicated—emotionally, physically, and invisibly. I realized not everyone could truly understand what I was going through. 🧡 This isn’t about blame. It’s about recognizing who I needed in my safety net.

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Establishing Safety Nets

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By Stacie Prada

Back-up plans and safety nets ease my worries. If I know I have options and support, my stresses for the future can be put on the back burner.

Which safety nets do I have control over? Which are vulnerable and might not be reliable? How strong are my safety nets, and where are the gaps?

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Acknowledging Your Safety Net

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By Dr Eva Jackson

Let us take a moment and go back into time. Remember your life before multiple sclerosis. Now stop and take a big breath as you let your memories unfold. You may visualize the days of going to a theme park and riding all the rides, or running on a sandy beach, just having fun. The days before watching your steps to ensure that there were not any barriers that would create a fall hazard or looking at the handicap parking spaces at your local grocery store to ensure that you did not have far to walk.

Now smile, because if you can visualize this, just know that you are not alone. Most of us are very independent people. People who never relied on others when making plans to go places. Independent individuals who very seldom had to go to the doctor regularly or spent days researching healthcare plans because this work was often done by your jobs.

As you think about those days, I will tell you a little secret. I have not been to a Christmas parade in over 5 years. During my last parade, I experienced several falls and sustained a shoulder fracture the next year. The risk is not worth the fulfillment of watching a parade in person.

Now MS has created a need in you to find safety nets in your home, communities, and healthcare. A safety net that you may have never thought you would need. A safety net could be financial, healthcare, family, or community support.

Let’s look at different safety nets and how they may vary for you.

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